Apparatus for applying metallic leaf



5- L. M. HARWOOD 2,049,804

APPARATUS FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF Filed July 28, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 INVENTOR m Zm/vMARn/v Hakwoon BY flyawywml ATTORNEYS Aug. 4, 1936. M. HARWOOD APPARATUS FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 'July 28, 1934 flyw w ATTORNEYS LEmvM/ar/N Emu/0017 Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNTE STATES ATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR APPLYING METALLIC LEAF 12 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus for applying, directly from the supporting strip of a package roll of metallic leaf, measured quantities of leaf upon an article to be decorated therewith. r

The invention has for an object the provision in an apparatus of the class described, of an improved means for separating that portion of the metallic leaf, which has been deposit-ed on an article, from the remainder thereof.

The invention also has for an object the provisionof a generally improved apparatus for applying in a convenient way, directly from the supporting strip of a package roll of metallic leaf, measured portions of such leaf and accomplishing this work with speed and accuracy and. with a minimum waste of leaf.

These and other objects will appear as the detailed description proceeds and will be pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention will be disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings,'in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an apparatus embodying the invention; 7

Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views taken on the lines 2-2 and 3--3, respectively, of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and drawn to a larger scalepand Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views, taken similarly to Fig. 5 but drawn to a still larger scale to clearly show the method of operation of the invention, and showing, respectively, the parts as they are positioned just before and just after the severing of the metallic leaf.

Referring to these drawings and particularly to Figs. 6 and '7, the invention'comprises as its main essential elements a suitable pressure pad 10 beneath which the supporting strip l l, carrying thereon the ;metallic leaf i2, is passed and a blade l3 having a leaf separating edge I4 adapted to engage the back face of the supporting strip and mounted to move back and forth relatively to the pressure pad in the direction in which the strip is fed. The pressure pad serves to press a portion of the leaf l2 against the article a on which the leaf is to be deposited, as shown in Fig. 6. The edge l4 serves to press against the back of the supporting strip and to apply, through the strip, pressure on the leaf I2 along a predetermined line. Then by moving the blade l3 from the position shown in Fig. 6

to that shown in Fig. 7, theedge M of the blade will move the strip ll rearwardly while the desired portion of the leaf, marked l2 in Fig. '7, adheres to the article a. The unused portion of the leaf is separated from the portion i2 '5 deposited on article a by what I believe tobe a tearing action, although the action results in a substantially clean-cutedge. The pressure pad and blade are subsequently lifted from article a and the desired portion of theleaf re- 10'- mains attached to the article.

These essential elements may be embodied in various forms of apparatus ranging from an extremely simple one, embodying little more than what has just been described with the addition 15 of such frame elements as are needed to support the parts, to more elaborate ones embodying many refinements which are desirable, advantageous and preferred, but not necessarily indispensable to the practice of the invention.

One desirable form of apparatus is shown in Figs 1 to 5. It includes a table having a bed l5 and spaced legs l6 for supporting it at the desired level. The bed l5 receives and supports the article a on which the leaf I2 is tobe de- 25 posited. The leaf applying apparatus is carried by a frame which may be moved, as for example manually, toward and away from bed l5. This frame includes spaced side rails I1 and suitable cross members I 8 and IQ for tying together the 3 side rails near each end thereof. The side rails are pivotally supported by a shaft 20 mounted near its ends in two posts 2|, secured in a manner to permit vertical adjustment (see Fig. 2) by cap screws 22. I'hetwo posts 2| are fixed 3 to a plate 23 by screws 24 (Figs. 1 and 4) and the screws 22 (Fig. 2) pass through vertical slots 25 in the plate 23 and thread into an angle'iron 26 fixed to the rear edge of bed l5. The side rails have a plurality-of sets of aligned holes 21 therein to receive the shaft 2!] and these sets are longitudinally spaced, whereby the frame may be shifted backward and forward relatively to bed l5. The adjustment shown in Fig. 2 enables the frame to be raised and lowered with respect to the bed to accommodate articles a of Varying thicknesses. A counterweight 28, fixed to rails I1 near their rear ends, tends to hold the frame elevated above bed l5 in the work-receiving position shown in Fig. 4. This frame may be moved downwardly by pressing on its front end and brought into substantially parallel relation therewith in the leaf-applying position shown in the other figures.

Fixed to each side rail I], as by the screws 29 are angle irons (Figs. 1 and 3) between which the pressure pad I0 is received. This pad, which may to advantage be made of celluloid or other suitable transparent material as herein shown, has secured thereto, as by screws 3| and an intervening spacer 32, two cross bars 33, the ends of which project beyond the pad l0 and overlie the horizontal legs of angle irons 30. Vertical pins 34, fixed in such legs, pass loosely through the ends of cross bars 33 and serve to prevent displacement of the pad in lateral or longitudinal directions. The holes in the cross bar through which pins 34 pass may, however, afford freedom for limited longitudinal movement of the pad. The pad, however, is free to rise vertically and is intended to press solely by its-weight upon the back of strip I I and thus'force the leaf |2 against article a. This pressure may, of course, be augmented by manual or other pressure, if necessary or desirable. The lower faces of angle irons 30 preferably carry pads35 of suitable material, such as rubber for example, to engage article a.

The blade |3 has fixed to it near its lower edge a shaft 31, paralleling the edge l4 and the ends of this shaft are received in a pair of bearings 38 secured one to each of the rails 1. Each bearing has a pair of inturned lugs 39 projecting into the path of blade l3 and limiting the extent of its swinging movement about the axis afforded by shaft 31.

The package roll- 40 of metallic leaf with its tubular core 4| is'supported by an axle 42 which in turn is supported at its ends in the two parallel sides 43 of a substantially U-shaped frame, the cross bar portion of which is marked 44. The blade I3 is notched in its vertical side edges to slidably receive the parts 43. Springs are interposed between blade l3 and cross bar 44, and tend to move bar 44 to the left as viewed in Figs. 4 to 7 and thus, through axle 42 force the'roll 40 against blade |3. Pins 46, fixed to blade l3 and passing loosely through the cross bar '44, serve to guide the latter in its sliding movement and to hold the springs 45 in place. I-Iowever, any suitable supporting means for a package roll of metallic leaf could be used with any suitable tension means to control the leaf with the supporting strip passing over the blade. Also, the ordinary commercial roll of metallic leaf which has a central core of small diameter could be used, with a suitable device to feed the supporting strip with the metallic leaf over the separating edge. As a convenient means of releasing the spring pressure, which acts to force roll 40 against blade IS, a lever 41 is provided. This lever has its lower end offset toward blade l3 and such end is loosely received in a slot formed centrally of the shaft 31. It is further loosely held, at a point intermediate its ends, by a screw 48 fixed to cross bar 44. The lever is fulcrumed at its lower end and, when its upper end is pressed toward blade I3, the U-shaped roll-carrying frame 43, 44 is slid to the right, compressing springs 45 and releasing the tension on the roll of metallic leaf.

The leading end of the supporting strip is led from roll 40 downwardly along blade l3, over a friction pad 49 fixed to such blade, thence around the separating edge l4 of the blade and beneath the pressure pad"). The strip then passes upwardly as shown in Fig. 5 over an edge 50 (forming part of cross member J8), where it is subjected to the pressure of a bar 5|. This bar, as shown in Fig. 1, has at each end lugs 52 which pass downwardlythrough slots in angle irons 30 and are then bent outwardly. These lugs 52 have a sufficiently loose connection with members 30 to enable bar 5| to move within the necessary limits, toward or awayfrom bar 50. An elastic band 53, encompassing the rear end of bar 5|, serves as a resilient means to press the forward edge of the bar downwardly against bar 50. The members 53, 5|, yieldingly hold the supporting strip The operation is to pull outwardly on the free forward end of the strip and at the same time decrease the tension on the package roll by operating lever 41. After the desired length of strip has been drawn out, the lever 47 is released, thus leaving a length of the strip drawn taut between roll 40 and bar 5| held under tension, with the blade |3 drawn back and yieldingly held in the position shown in Fig. 6.

'In operation, an article such as a is placed on bed l5 and positioned in the desired relation with frame I8, Hi, to receive the metallic leaf. The operator then lowers the frame toward the article and, when the two are nearly parallel but before contact with the article is established, he draws out the desired amount of leaf. In this operation, the forward end of strip II is grasped with one hand while the other hand is used to hold the frame in lowered position and release the spring pressure acting on roll 40. The blade l3 and lever 41 may be grasped between the thumb and forefinger of one hand while the strip H is pulled out by the other hand. The operator can see through the transparent pad l0 and measure oif exactly the required length of leaf needed. Also,'he can locate this length of leaf accurately on article a. Then the frame is pressed down the slight remaining distance and the weight of pad I!) presses the leaf against the article. The leaf, when pressed against article a which is usually sized, readily adheres thereto and thereafter the supporting strip may be moved by swinging blade |3 from the position of Fig. 6 to that of Fig. 7 without moving the deposited portion |2 of the leaf. The leaf is thus severed and they deposited portion I2 separated from the remainder thereof, as already described. The edge l4 presses against the back of the strip II and thus presses the leaf against the article along the line of cleavage but there is no cutting of strip If the leaf is cut, it is cut by strip when pressed thereagainst by edge M. It is believed, however, that the severing is accomplished by tearing and that the knife edge |4 makes the tearing occur in a controlled manner so that the leaf appears almost as if out. It will be appreciated that the leaf isextremely thin, say not over one twohundred-thousandths of an inch, sothat severing in the desired manner is readily effected. The leaf and strip have been shown in Figs. 6 and 7 of greatly exaggerated thickness to secure clearness of illustration. 7

The invention provides a quick and convenient means for applying metallic leaf from the supporting strip of its package roll. The apparatus is not only convenient to use but its use affords economy'in the consumption of the expensive leaf. Just the right length of leaf may be drawn out and the waste incident to prior methods and apparatus avoided.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for applying metallic leaf, composed stretches, means for-yieldingly holding the strip at each end of said path whereby the strip may be drawn taut in said path, one of said members adapted to press one stretch of said strip and force a portion of the leaf against an article on which the leaf is to be deposited and the other of said members being movable and operable when moved to draw the supporting strip rearwardly and separate the unused portion of the leaf from the deposited portion thereof.

2. Apparatus for applying metallic leaf, comprising, a support for a package roll of metallic leaf, angularly disposed members along which a portion of the supporting strip carrying the metallic leaf may be drawn and by which it is guided in a path including two angularly disposed stretches, means for yieldingly holding the strip at each end of said path whereby the strip may be drawn taut in said path, one of said members adapted to press one stretch of said strip and force. a portion of the leaf against an article on which the leaf is to be deposited and the other of said members being movable relatively to the first and operable when moved to draw the supporting strip rearwardly and separate the unused portion of the leaf from the deposited portion thereof.

3. Apparatus for applying metallic leaf, comprising, a support for a package roll of metallic leaf, a pressure pad beneath which the leading end of the supporting strip drawn from saidroll is passed with the leaf exposed on the lower face of the strip and by which the leaf is pressed against the article on which it is to be deposited, a blade having a separating edge arranged to press against the back of the supporting strip at a point between the roll and pad and mounted to move rearwardly with respect to the direction in which the strip is fed from said'roll, whereby the strip may be moved rearwardly relatively to the deposited portion of the leaf and the remaining portion of the leaf separated from such deposited portion.

4.. Apparatus for applying metallic leaf, comprising, a support for a package roll of metallic leaf, a pressure pad beneath which the leading end of the supporting strip drawn from said roll is passed with the leaf exposed on the lower face of the strip and by which the leaf is pressed against the article on which it is to be deposited, a blade having a separating edge arranged to press against the back of the supporting strip at a point between the roll and pad and around which said strip is drawn, said edge of said blade being movable rearwardly with respect to the direction in which the strip is fed from said roll, whereby the strip may be moved rearwardly relatively to the deposited portion of the leaf and the remaining portion of the leaf separated from such deposited portion.

5. In apparatus of the. class described, a frame having a support for a package roll of metallic leaf and adapted to overlie an article on which metallic leaf is to be deposited, a pressure pad beneath which a portion of the leaf carrying supporting strip drawn from such roll is passed and by which the strip is moved toward and the leaf against the article, and a blade having a separating edge to press against the back of the supporting strip, said blade mounted in said frame at an angle to saidpad and for movement relatively thereto such that said edge may be moved in a. direction opposite to that in which said strip is fed.

6. In apparatus of the class described, a frame having a support fora package rollof metallic leaf and adapted to overlie an article on'which metallic leaf is to be deposited, a pressure pad beneath which a portion of the leaf carrying supporting strip drawn from such roll is passed and by which the strip is moved toward and the leaf against the article, and a blade having a separating edge to press against the back of the supporting strip, said blade mounted in said frame at an angle. to said pad and for movement relatively thereto such that said edge may be moved in a direction opposite to that in which said strip is fed, said pad and blade mounted in said frame for relative movement in a direction toward and away from the article so that each may function independently of the other.

7. In apparatus of the class described, a frame having a support for a package roll of metallic leaf and adapted to overlie an article on which metallic leaf is to be deposited, a, pressure pad beneath which a portion of the leaf carrying supporting strip drawn from such roll is passed and by which the strip is moved toward and the leaf against the article, a blade pivotally supported for a limited degree of swinging movement in said frame and. having an edge adapted to engage the supporting strip at a position between the pad and roll, and means for tensioning the drawn 01f portion of the supporting strip and drawing said edge toward said pad and moving said blade into one of its extreme positions, said blade when moved toward its other extreme position serving to move the supporting strip rearwardly and separate the deposited portion of the leaf from the remainder thereof.

8. In apparatus of the class described, a frame, a pressure pad mounted therein, an upstanding member mounted in said frame, a roll supporting frame mounted to slide relatively to said member in a direction at substantially right angles thereto, a package roll of metallic leaf carried by said second frame, and resilient means to force said roll against said member.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a frame, a pressure pad mounted therein, an upstanding member mounted in said frame, a roll-supporting frame mounted to slide relatively to said member in a direction at substantially right angles thereto, a package roll of metallic leaf carried by said second frame, resilient means to force said roll against said member, and a lever carried by said member for moving said roll in a direction opposite to that in which it is moved by said resilient means.

10. In apparatus of the class described, a leaf applying means for pressing a portion of a supporting strip toward and the leaf on said strip against an article on which the leaf is to be deposited, a blade mounted in substantially upstanding relation with respect to the leaf applying means and around the lower edge of which said strip passes, said edge pressing against said strip adjacent one end of said means, and means for moving said blade to cause said edge to move said strip rearwardly beneath the first named means and separate the portion of the leaf beneath the first named means from the remainder thereof.

11. Apparatus for applying metallic leaf, comprising, a support for a package roll of metallic leaf, a member adapted to overlie the article on which the leaf is to be deposited, a blade having a separating edge arranged to press against the back of the supporting strip at a point between the roll and the leading end of said strip as the leaf is placed upon the article, said blade mounted to move relatively to said member and rearwardly with respect to the direction in which the strip is fed from said roll, whereby the strip may be moved rearwardly relatively to that portion of the leaf which lies against said article and the 7 remaining portion of the leaf separated from the first-named portion.

12. Apparatus for applying metallic leaf, comprising, a support for a package roll of metallic leaf, angularly disposed members along which a portion of the supporting strip carrying the metallic leaf may be drawn and by which it is guided in a path including two angularly disposed 

